Open Air Education, Castle Eden & Passfield
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Open Air Education creates a caring, nature-based learning environment where children thrive. Staff work hard to build strong relationships with every pupil, helping them grow in confidence and develop resilience. The school has excellent systems for teaching reading and uses creative outdoor activities to make learning engaging and memorable.
Key Strengths
- Excellent behaviour and attitudes - pupils are exceptionally well-behaved and show great respect for their learning environment and each other
- Strong outdoor learning environment - pupils thrive using creative activities in nature to develop literacy, numeracy and communication skills
- Excellent attendance and pupil wellbeing - pupils feel valued, safe and confident, with high expectations for both academic and social achievement
- Well-established reading programme - systematic phonics teaching with regular checks to identify and support gaps in reading skills
- Happy, committed staff team with strong relationships - staff prioritise pupil wellbeing and manage behaviour through building positive relationships
Areas for Improvement
- Handwriting and early writing skills not well developed - pupils have too few opportunities to improve handwriting at age-appropriate levels
- Inconsistent understanding of PSHE curriculum - pupils lack detailed knowledge about other cultures and faiths, which could limit their understanding of modern Britain
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders ensuring pupils feel safe and have a voice.
Extracurricular Activities
Trips and visits to museums, city centres and the beach, reading in hammocks in the woods
Open Air Education is a happy and calm school where staff and parents share a vision of education rooted in nature. It has been rated Good overall with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes.
Fees (2025)
Day fee
£2,000/term
£6,000/yr
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
30%
Available places
21 pupils
70 capacity
49 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Castle Eden & Passfield
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Castle Eden & Passfield
Admissions Demand - County Durham
Places available
5,856
Applications
5,186
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
98.5%
Secondary admissions across County Durham (2025/26)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.